Podcast Unlocked

Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay was leaked via a hacker. So now what? What do we think of the return to Vice City? What, if anything, will change about Rockstar's plan to show us the game on their terms. We discuss that as well as Diablo 4's upcoming endgame beta, hands-on impressions from the surprise demo of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and more!

Direct download: 092122-unlocked-audio.mp3
Category:video games -- posted at: 1:01am EDT

Our Xbox crew discusses a significant management shake-up at the top of 343 Industries, Sony boss Jim Ryan's public airing of Call of Duty-related grievances against Phil Spencer and Microsoft, the biggest news from the weekend's Disney/Marvel and Ubisoft showcases, the new Xbox Elite controller, and more!

Direct download: 091322_Unlocked_OTT.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 11:33pm EDT

Halo and 343 Industries was an arranged marriage from the start. After the latest sting of bad news – the cancellation of split-screen co-op – we spend an hour discussing 343's past, present, and future with the franchise. Is the arranged marriage working? Should Halo even be a "live service" game? It's a complex topic with no clear answers, but clearly it's time to have the conversation. Plus: September's Xbox Game Pass games, the Game Pass Friends & Family Plan goes live in a test market, and more!

Direct download: default.mp3_8e2a305870814fa5c943c0437b8d61a5_75128990.mp3
Category:video games -- posted at: 1:11am EDT

IGN's Kat Bailey joins Destin and Ryan to discuss the latest leak surrounding Microsoft's seemingly imminent Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family subscription plan. We speculate what it might cost, and how it further adds to Game Pass's already-amazing value proposition. Plus: we talk Madden NFL 23 and sports video games, debate what we want out of the just-announced new Mafia game (including when we want it to be set), and more!

Direct download: Unlocked_083022.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 8:20pm EDT

Xbox brought plenty of content to Gamescom, and now we've got a clear picture of what the holiday lineup looks like for Xbox gamers. Plus: Xbox commits to maintaining Xbox prices after Sony raised the price of PS5 in many major territories, Phil Spencer hints at his next acquisition priorities, and more!

Direct download: 082522_Unlocked_AUDIO.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

This week, Ryan’s back from a long-needed vacation! We catch up on a new Lord of the Rings game coming from Weta Workshop and Private Division as well as talk about games we’re looking forward to hearing about at Gamescom next week! We also anticipate Marvel and Disney rolling out a brand new Games Showcase next month! Tons of fun stuff today, so join us in the comments!

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:50 - Private Division Working on a LOTR Game. Here's what we want.
00:18:39 - Xbox’s gamescom Showcase News
00:37:10 - Disney & Marvel’s Games Showcase Coming Sept. 9th
00:46:30 - Even More Game Delays!
00:50:16 - Outro

Direct download: 081622_Unlocked_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 8:27pm EDT

With the news that the Xbox Series S Performance Boost benefiting developers after direct feedback, the Podcast Unlocked crew discusses the success of the Series S console and why they like it. In addition Activision Blizzard not only covered off on an upcoming Modern Warfare stream in the coming months, but there were also a few news bits about the merger with Microsoft that we missed last week. There was a hefty bit of news to discuss this week so join us as we discuss each story together this week on IGN's Podcast Unlocked.

Direct download: 080922_Unlocked_Libsyn.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

With an official Discord chat integration on the way, the Podcast Unlocked crew discusses other features they'd like to see get an update or overhaul along with Xbox's Summer Spotlight program that's been a little underwhelming, though it did introduce the team to a particularly cool giraffe. Plus, the team discusses some awesome community creations for Halo Infinite and The Simpsons: Hit and Run.

Direct download: 080222_Unlocked_Libsyn.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

As two more big games get pushed into 2023 (Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora), we take a look at the crush of major releases coming to Xbox next year and discuss what we're most looking forward to. Plus: a discussion on Ubisoft's latest Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell project cancellations and why we've been a bit disappointed in the major publisher in recent times.

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:08 - Our Thoughts on Ask Dusk Falls & FH5 Hot Wheels DLC 00:08:45 - More Games Delayed to 2023!
00:31:25 - What’s Up with Ubisoft?
00:50:53 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_072622_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 6:13pm EDT

Lots of Halo Infinite talk this week! First we discuss our hands-on impressions of the just-released online co-op beta, then we dive into the wave of key staff departures from the Infinite development team and wonder if it’s a bad sign for a game that’s supposed to be a long-term platform for the future of Halo. Plus: Grounded gets a TV show adaptation, and more!

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 - Intro & SDCC Info!
00:02:18 - Halo Infinite Co-op Campaign Beta is great!
00:13:15 - Halo Veteran Devs Start a New AAA Studio
00:39:56 - Grounded Gets a TV Adaptation
00:47:58 - As Dusk Falls & New Game Pass Games
00:55:00 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_071922_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 5:49pm EDT